“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 No longer will they build houses […]

“It’s kind of hard to sling mud and keep your own hands clean.” ~Jack Bartlett, Heartland I’ll admit I have a hard time slowing down.  I try to take time during the day to slow my roll and rest, but something will catch my eye that needs my attention, and all the best laid soul care intentions go out the window.  I wouldn’t say I’m OCD, but I might have […]

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.  Hebrews 13:7 It’s a day I will never forget.  It happened over five years ago on a warm September day in Colorado.  I was pretty much having a meltdown—overwhelmed by how busy my life had become.  I was trying to juggle too many plates, and some were starting to crash […]

These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there. Numbers 35:15 Day turned to night. A damp coldness settled across The Land.   Wrapped in layers of every piece of clothing they owned, with small satchels tied to their backs, they set out through the city gates, with hopes […]

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV I remember the day like it was yesterday.  I think I was 16, maybe 17.  My dad told me the one thing that any pastor’s kid dreads.  He said […]

Izzy turned 15 and a half on September 11, of this year.  Half birthdays aren’t a big deal to most of us, but here in Arizona that means you are eligible to get your driver’s permit.  Yippee! (I say this with sarcasm and fear, while trembling in the fetal position.) So apparently since Maddie took her permit test two years ago at the over-crowded government institution we fondly call MVD, things […]

About a year ago, I was with Matt’s parents. It was just the three of us on a long car ride from Arizona to California, when Matt’s dad turned to me and asked, “Kris, what three things do you love about Matthew?”  Before I go any further, it’s a Jamaican thing to give enduring nicknames to loved ones. “Kris” is mine. And if you’re wondering, it’s off limits except to […]

Repost from The past is in the past, or is it?  I’ve often struggled with this line of thinking, because, personally, I struggle with letting things go. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:13 I believe two things happen when we look to the past.  We either […]

Dear Summer, It’s not you, It’s me. I’m not breaking up with you or anything, I just think we need to dial things back a little. I guess I had different expectations of what you would be like.  It’s not that you’re bad or anything—you’re just not what I had in mind for this season.  I was hoping for a little more. But like I said, It’s not you, it’s me. […]